There is no method for replacing an item. To replace an item, first remove the item and then insert the new one.
// Create a read-only combobox; the combobox is read-only
// in that it does not allow the user to type in a new item.
// The combobox still allows programmatic changes to its items.
String[] items = {"item1", "item2"};
JComboBox cb = new JComboBox(items);
// Add an item to the start of the list
cb.insertItemAt("item0", 0);
// Add an item after the first item
cb.insertItemAt("item0.5", 1);
// Add an item to the end of the list
cb.addItem("item3");
// Remove first item
cb.removeItemAt(0);
// Remove the last item
cb.removeItemAt(cb.getItemCount()-1);
// Remove all items
cb.removeAllItems();